Artwork
The Scalplock
The Scalplock is an oil painting by Alfred Jacob Miller. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Denver Art Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Scalplock is a painting created by Alfred Jacob Miller around 1850, executed in oil paint. It is now part of the Denver Art Museum's collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a Native American man standing on a rocky outcropping, dressed in traditional attire and holding a scalplock, rifle, and accompanied by a horse. The scene is set against a mountainous backdrop with a distant body of water.
Technique & Style
Miller's use of color and composition creates a sense of depth and atmosphere, drawing attention to the central figure. The painting's attention to detail contributes to its realism.
Context
Miller was known for his depictions of frontier life, trappers, and Native Americans in the western fur trade, having worked as a genre painter and portraitist in Baltimore.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Alfred Jacob Miller (January 2, 1810 – June 26, 1874) was an American artist best known for his paintings of trappers and Native Americans in the fur trade of the western United States.
